1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

I understand that you have been tasked to represent Senate Republicans in DHS budget negotiations. I urge you to keep in mind and remind other negotiators that the entire reason for the DHS budget isolation is the overwhelming public reaction of recoiling in horror at ICE and Border Patrol behaving as paramilitary forces intent on violence and political retribution. Keep in mind whether you would feel safe if your children's school campus was overrun by armed ICE agents. Ask negotiators whether the First Amendment allows tear gassing of protestors. Ask whether TSA, Secret Service, and FEMA budgets could be passed separately from ICE and BP, which clearly need major reform before being given further funding. Your constituents deserve meaningful change. I am afraid of ICE/BP and do not want them anywhere near my community. Please negotiate and vote like you feel that fear.